The bamboo palm plant, also known as reed palm or Chamaedorea seifrizii, is a popular houseplant that can add a tropical flair to any indoor space. With its graceful, green fronds and easy care requirements, it’s no wonder bamboo palm is a favorite for brightening up living rooms, bedrooms, and offices. However, finding the optimal source to purchase a healthy bamboo palm can be a challenge. In this comprehensive guide, I’ll walk you through the pros and cons of various purchase options, along with tips for ensuring you find a vigorous, pest-free plant.
Online Retailers
Ordering bamboo palm online is undoubtedly the most convenient option. Large retailers like Amazon, Etsy, and The Sill offer nationwide shipping and extensive plant selections. Prices are competitive, and shipping is usually free or low cost. The main downside is you can’t examine the plant before buying. Be sure to read reviews and check sellers’ ratings. Study product photos closely for signs of pests or damage.
When buying online:
- Verify plant size and variety in descriptions
- Check for guarantees on plant health
- Read shipping details and expected transit time
- Have your plant shipped at the optimal time for your zone
Local Nurseries and Garden Centers
Visiting local nurseries allows you to personally inspect plants before purchasing. Check foliage for discoloration, spots webbing or signs of insects. Avoid plants with yellowed or brown fronds. Select plants with full, green canopies. Discuss plant care with staff to ensure you can provide what the palm needs to thrive.
The drawback is limited selection compared to online buying, Call ahead to check bamboo palm availability, Be prepared to act quickly if your local nursery has the plant in stock
When buying locally:
- Inspect plants closely before purchase
- Ask staff for care tips and recommendations
- Transport the plant carefully to avoid damage
- Be ready to buy if you find a healthy specimen
Online Marketplaces
Websites like Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, and Nextdoor connect local sellers with buyers. Prices are often lower than retail, and you may find mature plants not available at nurseries. Meet sellers in person to examine plants before purchasing. Check for insect infestations and disease. Make sure the palm is a variety suited for indoor growing.
Drawbacks include limited selections and uncertainty about plant origins. Ask sellers questions about care and growing conditions. Consider having the seller deliver the plant to avoid transport stress.
When buying via marketplaces:
- Vet sellers and review ratings if available
- Ask questions about care and growing conditions
- Inspect plants very carefully before purchase
- Arrange delivery to avoid transport stress
Plant Swaps and Exchanges
Connecting with other gardeners is a fun way to add new plants like bamboo palm to your indoor jungle. Check for plant swaps through local garden clubs, community centers, or Facebook groups. You may even find free plants! As when buying from individuals, carefully check any plants you acquire for pests and indications of poor health.
The selection will be unpredictable, but swaps are great for getting quality plants at low or no cost. Be ready to share some of your own plants in exchange.
When acquiring plants via swap/exchange:
- Inspect plants closely before taking them
- Ask about care needs and growing conditions
- Be prepared to share some of your own plants
- Quarantine new plants before introducing to your indoor garden
Choosing the Best Source for You
Your optimal bamboo palm shopping source will depend on your specific needs and situation. Online buying offers convenience and selection. Local nurseries allow hands-on inspection. Marketplaces provide lower prices and larger plants. Swaps/exchanges give you access to free or low-cost options.
No matter where you acquire your new bamboo palm, inspect it closely and research proper care. Provide the light levels, humidity, watering routine, and soil it requires to thrive. With a healthy start and ideal growing conditions, your bamboo palm will soon grow into an elegant, graceful addition to your indoor garden.
Our 30-Day Guarantee We take pride in ensuring the well-being of your plants, guaranteeing their arrival in a happy and healthy condition. As part of our 30-Day Guarantee, if your plants do not meet this standard within 30 days of arrival, we offer free replacements. While minor signs of stress may be expected from transit, if the damage goes beyond slight imperfections, please contact us within 30 days of receipt to receive a complimentary replacement. Pairs Well With
If you’re looking for a soft-tropical touch in a nicely lit room, the Bamboo Palm is a great choice for you . Here’s what you need to know if you’re getting a Bamboo Palm:
If you have bamboo outside, forget everything you think you know about watering this plant inside. Unlike its outdoor cousin, the Chamaedorea should be watered to maintain soil moisture considered damp, not wet; overwatering can cause the leaves to yellow and drop. Please see our watering guide for more information.
While this palm can tolerate lower light levels than other palms, it will thrive adjacent to an east-, south-, or west-facing window. So, good filtered natural light or bright florescent light will keep this palm growing strong.
Like other plants shipped fresh from Florida, you won’t need to feed this palm for at least 6 months after you get it. That’s because there is residual nutrients in the soil from when the palm was being propagated. After 12 months, it can be fed quarterly with a complete fertilizer formulated for interior plants. Please refer to our plant nutrition guide for details.
This plant, with its numerous stems and plentiful leaves and leaflets can be a challenge to clean. While we still prefer a cleaning regimen with water and a light soap solution, it would be okay to break out the feather duster on this plant. Make sure your feather duster is clean though – it’s a primary way to get bugs from one plant to another. And since the Chams are susceptible to spider mites, it’s especially important with this plant.
The leaves of the Bamboo Palm form sheaths around the stem. The older leaves at the bottom of the plant will yellow and turn brown, and it’s easy to just give a little twist and pull these leaves off. The only time you’ll need pruners to care for a Cham is if one of the stems gets too tall or out-of-line with the rest of the plant. In that case, we recommend pruning the stem at the base where it emerges from the soil. You should never cut a stem in half because the plant does not generate new growth from mid-stem pruning cuts.
There’s always a chance for a mealybug to set up camp on your Bamboo Palm. Look for the little white cottony mealybugs at the base of the leaves, on the stems, and especially under the leaf sheaths between the sheath and the stem; mites will hide on the bottom side of the leaves and produce webs. Be extra vigilant when scouting for mites, as they can do irreparable harm quickly often mistaken for dust on the underside of the leaves. If you see either of these, break out the spray bottle with a light soap solution and spray them daily ’til they’re gone.
Keep an eye out for the bugs mentioned above, and you’ll enjoy this palm for a long while.
WATCH THIS BEFORE BUYING BAMBOO | Clumping Bamboo vs Running Bamboo #Shorts
FAQ
What is the difference between bamboo and bamboo palms?
What are the cons of bamboo palms?
How long do bamboo palms last?
Does Bamboo Palm attract bugs?